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The Contortionist
by Kingsley, Kathryn Ann
Cora Glass is a woman trying to keep her life in order, but everything shifts when the Harrow Faire rolls into town. This traveling circus is unsettling, not just because of its strange performers, but because of the man at the center of it all: Simon Waite. He is terrifying, magnetic, and clearly not entirely human. The book leans heavily into the feeling of being watched, creating an atmosphere where the air feels thin and dangerous. The pacing is deliberate, focusing on the creeping dread of realizing you are being hunted by something you cannot fully understand. It is a slow, suffocating burn that prioritizes psychological tension over traditional romance. If you enjoy stories where the line between hero and villain vanishes, and you prefer your fantasy with a side of unsettling, dark obsession, this will be right up your alley.
10 Books similar to 'The Contortionist'
Since you enjoyed the unsettling power dynamics and the lure of the unknown in this story, I have selected books that balance that same dark, supernatural tension. Whether it is the high-stakes theatricality of a cursed circus or the intense, morally grey chemistry between a human lead and a dangerous, otherworldly entity, these picks focus on the thrill of forbidden obsession. If you are looking for that specific blend of atmospheric dread and fated, complicated romance, these titles lean into the same addictive, shadow-drenched tropes that make Simon Waite so hard to forget.
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Like The Contortionist, this novel centers on a mysterious, magical circus performance where the lines between reality and illusion are dangerously blurred. Fans will appreciate the dark, atmospheric setting and the high-stakes romance that keeps the reader guessing.
This book offers a more lyrical but equally immersive look at a magical circus that operates only at night, sharing the same sense of wonder and dark enchantment found in Kingsley's work. Readers who enjoyed the circus aesthetic and the intense, fated connection between the leads will find this mesmerizing.
Since this is the sequel to The Contortionist, it is the most logical next step for fans who want to continue the story of Cora and Simon Waite. It deepens the dark, psychological obsession and the eerie, supernatural elements that defined the first book.
This novel features a human woman thrust into a dangerous, supernatural world where she must navigate the complex demands of a morally ambiguous, powerful fae male. It mirrors the 'beauty and the beast' dynamic and the intense, dark romantic tension present in The Contortionist.
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This book features a high-stakes, deadly competition and a romance with a dangerous, morally grey partner that will appeal to fans of the intense, life-or-death atmosphere in Kingsley's work. The pacing is fast and the emotional stakes are incredibly high.
by C.S. Pacat
For readers who enjoyed the intense power dynamics and the 'villain gets the girl' trope in The Contortionist, this series offers a masterclass in complex, slow-burn relationships between enemies. It is gritty, political, and deeply character-driven.
This story combines a dark, supernatural mystery with a romance involving a prince of hell, echoing the paranormal obsession and dangerous allure found in The Contortionist. The blend of investigation and dark romance provides a similar addictive reading experience.
This reimagining of the Midas myth features a captive protagonist and a dark, possessive male lead, mirroring the themes of imprisonment and psychological manipulation seen in The Contortionist. It is a dark fantasy that leans heavily into the complicated power dynamics of its central couple.
This book features a supernatural deal-maker and a protagonist who finds herself entangled in his dark, magical world, much like Cora’s entanglement with Simon Waite. It balances a high-stakes plot with a deeply obsessive, fated romance.
by Katee Robert
While set in a modern reimagining of Hades and Persephone, this book captures the same 'dark romance' vibe where a woman finds herself drawn to the feared, powerful outcast of society. It focuses heavily on the chemistry and moral grey areas that fans of Kingsley's work often enjoy.
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